Marine Technology Transfer & Licensing Opportunities
Urea or Urine Powered Fuel Cell Technology for Low Cost Energy Systems >>Heriot-Watt has received EPSRC Follow on Fund award to develop a Urea Fuel Cell.
Led by Dr Shanwen Tao the project focus is on developing low temperature membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and catalyst that will use Urea solutions such as Greenox (tm), Adblue (tm) or Urine as a low cost easily transported readily available fuel source.
Lab experiments showing "Proof of Principle" with Urea solutions have been completed.
Magnetic Gearbox >>The automotive sector has an annual turnover of approximately £200 billion, with the market for Electric Vehicles, although embryonic, expanding fast. This expansion has been caused by spiralling basic fuel costs, fuel shortages and the requirement to meet the Kyoto Protocol CO2 emission targets.
Currently fixed transmission gears (i.e. one ratio gearbox) are utilised in Electric Vehicles, however vehicle performance and range can both be extended by utilising a variable ratio gear box.
Genespark Molecular Label >>Genespark is a fast fluorescent molecular labelling technology with unlimited multiplex scalability.
Spherical Generator >>A spherical generator/motor design which has advantages over standard cylindrical forms, potentially providing increased efficiency in a wide range of applications.
Novel Method for Acoustic Deterrence (NMAD) of seal predation on fish farms >>The NMAD has been developed by members of the Sea Mammals Research Unit at the Gatty Marine Laboratory and undergone fish farm field trials. The sound profiles of the NMAD have been designed to have the maximum effect on specific target species (e.g. seals) and the minimum on species not targeted (e.g. whales, porpoises) and can be tuned to elicit a pronounced and maintained avoidance response. Our wide experience of studying sea mammals allows our providing sound profiles targeted at chosen species without harming them or other marine residents.
Deoxygenation >>Researchers at The Robert Gordon University have created a ceramic catalytic reactor for deoxygenating a fluid.
Contra Rotating Tidal Turbine >>As governments increase commitment to renewables, interest in tidal stream power is growing.
The Energy Systems Research Team at the University of Strathclyde is developing a contra-rotating marine current turbine with integral power take off. Using patented new rotor technology this design enables more energy to be delivered from the flowing stream while reducing mechanical complexity. Compared to existing turbines of similar dimensions contra-rotating rotors are more efficient, yield a higher power output, and reduce the environmental impact associated with the downstream disturbance of the seabed. This technology could significantly lower the cost of tidal power generation.
Tidal Support Structure >>This device created by reserachers at The Robert Gordon University offers a viable alternative to socketed or gravity based installations by proposing that the downwards lift force that can be developed from the flow over a hydrofoil can be used to resist the slip and overturning moments applied to a structure.
Tidal energy technology >>Plans to make the UK a world leader in harnessing wave and tidal energy are set to receive a significant boost with this project led by Prof. Ian Bryden.
Tidal currents offer a substantial predictable source of renewable energy, however at present the potential use of tidal energy is limited by installations methods for turbines, which require firm attachment to the seabed. This is very expensive and, at present, requires turbines to be placed in water depths greater than 25 metres and less than 50 metres.
Industrial Psychology Research Centre >>The Industrial Psychology Research Centre at the University of Aberdeen specialises in the application of psychology to the management of health, safety and emergency response in the workspace, particularly for high reliability organisations. Established in 1987 the Centre has research and consultancy experience within the oil and gas industry, nuclear and conventional power generation, civil aviation, the emergency services and hospital medicine.
The Scottish Offshore Materials Centre (SOMC) >>SOMC is a new facility funded by a Research Development Grant and is located within the University of Aberdeen's Engineering and Chemistry Departments. At the heart of SOMC is a state of-the-art High Pressure-High Temperature (HP-HT) test facility that is dedicated to the needs of manufacturers and users in the oil and gas, petro-chemical, chemicals and energy sectors. The facility allows the testing of materials, components, equipment and geological materials under typical HP-HT downhole service conditions.
Oceanlab >>The University of Aberdeen Oceanlab is the first purpose-built ocean lander laboratory in the world. Located close to the centre of the North Sea oil industry at Newburgh on the river Ythan, the Oceanlab has direct access to the most sophisticated subsea industry suppliers in Europe. The Oceanlab is a 1100m2 facility with one of the most comprehensive subsea proving and testing suites in Europe. This new facility encourages industry and scientists to work together and provides access to its state of the art facilities on a commercial basis.
